Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Averett failed to score on its final possession, allowing William Peace University to escape with a 69-68 conference victory on Sunday at the Grant Center.

Averett (11-10, 8-3 USA South) couldn't shake the Pacers down the stretch. William Peace (8-13, 2-8 USA South) stayed within striking distance, then took its first lead since halftime on a three-point play by Shawn Shaffer with 1:58 remaining. Averett answered at the other end on junior Cody Stephens' basket to put the Cougars back in front by one.

After both teams missed shots on their next possession, Averett forced a turnover and called a timeout with 48.7 seconds left. The Cougars couldn't get a clean look and the possession ended with a turnover with 17.6 seconds to go. William Peace's Jalen Vince drove to the right, then pulled up for a go-ahead jumper with 7.2 seconds left. Averett missed two shots in the paint in the final seconds and the Pacers grabbed the rebound as time expired to earn a win over the Cougars in their first ever meeting.

Averett started slow as William Peace led early. The Cougars bounced back to go up by as many as five late in the first half before the Pacers took a 35-34 lead at halftime.

Shaffer finished with a game-high 26 points to lead William Peace, which shot 45.6 percent from the field.

Averett got 16 points from sophomore Bradley Robinson, including seven consecutive points to start the second half and catapult the Cougars into the lead early in the period.

Stephens added 14 points, sophomore Carter Jones had 12 points and eight rebounds and senior Paul Porter had 11 points and nine rebounds for Averett.

Averett returns to action on Saturday at Methodist University at 4 p.m.